Springboks crush Georgia with nine tries in final test before Rugby Championship
South Africa gave its three starting front-rowers their test debuts and two of them, loosehead Boan Venter and hooker Marnus van der Merwe, scored the first two of the team's nine tries.
Captain Siya Kolisi overcame various niggles to finally play his first test of the year and had to have a head injury check in the second minute. But he returned and played the whole match.
Kolisi is certain to lead the Springboks in the Rugby Championship opener against Australia in four weeks at Ellis Park.
The Georgians are not lightweights and showed off their heft and expertise with a rolling maul try for hooker Vano Karkadze in the third minute. But they had only a couple more try chances and were overturned by South Africa.
The Springboks had the win in hand by halftime at 22-10.
Marnus van der Merwe scored two tries from lineout drives, and Venter from multiple pick-and-goes. The fourth try of the half saw scrumhalf Grant Williams, riding his pack's dominance, split the defense and four passes later center Canan Moodie crashed over beside the right corner flag.
As the Georgians flagged from the pummelling up front, the Springboks went wider in the second half and wing Edwill van der Merwe, no relation to Marnus, also scored two tries.
Replacement back Damian Willemse punched through from scrum ball and, in the last couple of minutes, a couple of RG Snyman half breaks and offloads led to tries by backs Kurt-Lee Arendse and Handre Pollard.
___
AP rugby: https://apnews.com/hub/rugby
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
News24
10 hours ago
- News24
Your ultimate Saturday Night Fitness guide
Fitness culture is changing. What was once measured in kilos lost is now celebrated in strength gained and communities built. This shift takes centre stage at Saturday Night Fitness 2025: The Strong Edition – a highlight on South Africa's fitness calendar. Set for August 16 at Montecasino's Outdoor Events Area in Fourways, this year's event continues its tradition of combining expert-led workouts with an atmosphere that's more celebration than gym session. Beyond the standard workout At Saturday Night Fitness, you move through varied fitness activities throughout the afternoon and evening, creating a full-body experience. The programme includes yoga for flexibility and mindfulness, high-energy strength circuits, metabolic conditioning through HIIT sessions, kickboxing for coordination, and specialised glutes workouts focusing on functional power. DJ Miss Bee provides the ultimate soundtrack. Expert guidance The 2025 trainer lineup showcases some of South Africa's most respected fitness professionals: Ceri & Lydia Hannan kick things off with their Rockstar Party Starter session Monique leads participants through a full-body conditioning workout The Zulu Yogi introduces elements of mindful movement Chunky Phiri delivers his signature No Ifs, All Butts! glutes session Each trainer brings specialised expertise, ensuring participants receive professional guidance throughout every segment. The logistics The event begins at 14:30 on Saturday, August 16, with activities continuing into the evening. Ticket prices start at R370 per person, with discounts available for pairs (R330 each) and groups of ten or more (20% reduction). These group discounts make the event particularly attractive for workplace teams or fitness communities looking for a fun shared challenge. Many companies use it as a team-building opportunity that promotes both physical wellness and group bonding. And you don't leave empty-handed. Each participant receives a fantastic goodie bag from the event's sponsors, and various fitness challenges throughout the day offer opportunities to win additional prizes. Book now to avoid disappointment as the event sells out fast. Tickets can be purchased at Quicket.
Yahoo
16 hours ago
- Yahoo
Wallabies hooker David Porecki retires from rugby
SYDNEY (AP) — Hooker David Porecki, who was a late injury withdrawal from the Australia's lineup for the third test against the British and Irish Lions last weekend, has announced his retirement. Rugby Australia issued a statement Tuesday saying the 32-year-old Porecki, who sustained a heel injury last week, was retiring immediately and ending a career that included five seasons in Britain with Saracens and London Irish from 2015. He returned to Australia and the New South Wales Waratahs ahead of the 2021 Super Rugby season, and made his test debut a year later in a win for Australia against England in Perth. Porecki was part of Australia's 2023 Rugby World Cup squad and became the 88th Wallabies captain after an injury to Will Skelton, leading the team in three of its four pool matches at the tournament. Two-time champion Australia was eliminated in the group stage for the first time ever at a Rugby World Cup, hastening a change of coaching staff and leadership. Injury sidelined Porecki in 2024 but he returned to the Wallabies squad last month and started against Fiji in Australia's first test of 2025. His 21st and final test was at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on July 26, when the Lions clinched the three-test series with a contentious late try. 'Rugby has given me so much to be thankful for and has been such a massive part of my life for so long but it feels like the right time for me to turn the page and start a new chapter," Porecki said in the Rugby Australia statement. Australia's list of injuries continues to grow just four tests in the international season, although there has been some positive news for the Wallabies with a potential return for Allan Ala'alatoa during the Rugby Championship. Initially set to undergo shoulder surgery after sustaining an injury in Melbourne, Ala'alatoa is instead back in Canberra completing intensive rehab in the hope of rejoining the Wallabies for the four-nation tournament. The 31-year-old prop is expected to be sidelined for six to eight weeks, giving him a chance of returning for the Sept. 13 test against Argentina in Sydney or the first match against New Zealand in Auckland two weeks later. ___ AP rugby:
Associated Press
16 hours ago
- Associated Press
Wallabies hooker David Porecki retires from rugby
SYDNEY (AP) — Hooker David Porecki, who was a late injury withdrawal from the Australia's lineup for the third test against the British and Irish Lions last weekend, has announced his retirement. Rugby Australia issued a statement Tuesday saying the 32-year-old Porecki, who sustained a heel injury last week, was retiring immediately and ending a career that included five seasons in Britain with Saracens and London Irish from 2015. He returned to Australia and the New South Wales Waratahs ahead of the 2021 Super Rugby season, and made his test debut a year later in a win for Australia against England in Perth. Porecki was part of Australia's 2023 Rugby World Cup squad and became the 88th Wallabies captain after an injury to Will Skelton, leading the team in three of its four pool matches at the tournament. Two-time champion Australia was eliminated in the group stage for the first time ever at a Rugby World Cup, hastening a change of coaching staff and leadership. Injury sidelined Porecki in 2024 but he returned to the Wallabies squad last month and started against Fiji in Australia's first test of 2025. His 21st and final test was at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on July 26, when the Lions clinched the three-test series with a contentious late try. 'Rugby has given me so much to be thankful for and has been such a massive part of my life for so long but it feels like the right time for me to turn the page and start a new chapter,' Porecki said in the Rugby Australia statement. Australia's list of injuries continues to grow just four tests in the international season, although there has been some positive news for the Wallabies with a potential return for Allan Ala'alatoa during the Rugby Championship. Initially set to undergo shoulder surgery after sustaining an injury in Melbourne, Ala'alatoa is instead back in Canberra completing intensive rehab in the hope of rejoining the Wallabies for the four-nation tournament. The 31-year-old prop is expected to be sidelined for six to eight weeks, giving him a chance of returning for the Sept. 13 test against Argentina in Sydney or the first match against New Zealand in Auckland two weeks later. ___ AP rugby:
